How to Choose a Lock

With so many different high-security products in the market, it can be difficult to choose the right lock system for your home or business. But your safety relies on it—so you have to be careful with your decision. How do you go about choosing the right lock from such a big selection? There are certain key factors to look at that can help you determine how to choose a lock—and we’ve outlined them for you!

Type of Door

The first thing you should consider is what type of door you have. If you have a solid door, you should choose a lock that can fit in it the way it is. If you have a flimsy door that could easily be kicked in, you may need to think about installing a new door or having alterations done. After all, a high-quality lock can only help so much when you don’t have a sturdy door (or window) to go with it.

Lock Grades

Once you’ve made a decision regarding your door, you can begin to compare different locks. Be sure to choose a lock with a Grade 1 classification. Why? Lock grades signify strength and durability—and according to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which are upheld by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association Inc. (BHMA), a Grade 1 classification is used to identify the strongest and most durable products.

Key Control

Once you’ve narrowed down your selection based on lock grades, check for key control. What does that mean? Key control gives the homeowner (or business owner if you’re getting office locks) control over how many copies can be used to open your locks; only the key manufacturer itself or certain designated locksmiths can make duplicates. This means that your keys can’t be copied just anywhere, reducing your chance of burglary through replicated keys. Though key control can be expensive, it’s worth the extra cost to keep your building secure.

Lock Brands

Next you’ll want to look at lock brands. Make sure you purchase a lock from a well-known manufacturer with a reputation for producing highly secure products. Some brands to consider include Schlage, Kwikset, and Sargent. At the same time, avoid discount locks that come with low costs but tend to be less secure than their more expensive counterparts.

Of course, the locksmiths we can provide you with more specific recommendations and advice on how to choose a lock. While we typically suggest deadbolt locks for their advanced security capabilities, we can also provide you with ideas regarding other types of lock systems—and we can install them in conjunction with alarm systems or other electronic security solutions that will work together to protect your home.

Visit one of our 18 lock shops to see our product selection or contact us for help choosing and installing a lock in Maryland, Washington, D.C., or Virginia.

The Lookout

A few weeks ago we shared a link on our Facebook page to a show called The Lookout. It's a show that airs on ABC giving consumers a guide to products and services; while offering them tips on how to get what they are paying for.

The episode we shared was close to our hearts because it showed the world what locksmith "scammers", as we call them in the locksmith industry, were doing to hurt our businesses and the community.

When you're locked out it is usually a panic situation. You need to get in, but you can't, and you need to quickly. That is why you should have a locksmith already programed in your phone for these type of emergency situations. Maybe go and visit them so you feel comfortable with the company.  

If you didn't get a chance to watch the episode here is a summary and some key points we wanted to get across -

At the beginning of the investigation a certified locksmith installed the most simplistic deadbolt lock on the market. They then had a women call posing to be locked out. The "locksmith" came and the first troubling thing he did was not ask for ID. A locksmith should always ask for your identification.

There were 2 locks on the door. The consumer stated she didn't know which was locked. Before figuring that out or even trying to pick the lock he immediately started drilling it. He drilled both locks open (breaking the drill in one). This not only ruined both the deadbolts, it left her with no way to lock the door that night and forced her to buy a new set. All of this was unnecessary and cost her a lot more than what the company originally quoted.

The BEST part - even the host of the show picked the lock (with a few verbal tips from the professional locksmith). There was no reason to ruin the lock by drilling.

Locksmith scammers are hurting real locksmith companies because they flood the yellow pages and internet with addresses and phone numbers. Most of the time with an address that isn't theirs (it ends up being another company). They falsify the whereabouts of their company because they want the consumer to think they are close by and will be able to get to their house or car fast. The phone numbers actually go to a call center in another state. These call centers take calls for many company names, which is why they answer "locksmith" and not "Baldino's Lock and Key" or whatever their company name is.

Locksmiths who pull these scams also hurt the community by using bait and switch tactics on their customers. Quoting one price, and then finding bogus reasons to charge a much higher one. They make consumers not trust locksmith companies.

Please be aware and verify you are using a local, licensed, and trustworthy locksmith when it comes time for your next lockout emergency.

One Stop Shop

If you have been in a Baldino's Lock and Key within the last couple of years (and we hope you have) then you've probably noticed some of our locations sell ink jet and toner cartridges as well. Odd? Maybe... but, just like Al Baldino thought all of those years back, Mark Baldino, his son saw something everyone needed and made it so!

While ink and locksmithing don't necessarily go hand in hand both are here to help our customers. While Baldino's help protects your families, belongings, and homes Rapid Refill helps you save money AND the environment.  Rapid Refill sells recycled ink cartridges. We have all the most popular brands and you can save up to 30%. There is no reason to buy new cartridges every time yours runs out. Recycling saves on plastic making sure the environment doesn't get littered. 

So, next time you walk into a Baldino's or Rapid Refill don't be confused! We are your one stop shop for ink, toner, and locks!!

http://www.rapidrefill377.com/buy-ink-and-toner-cartridges-online.aspx

Locksmithing and Social Media

In recent years Baldino's Lock and Key has embraced a new kind of marketing and advertising - social media. With Yellowpage usage dwindling, consumers have flocked to the internet in search for local locksmiths. Unfortunately, as we have written about in the past, the search can be tedious due to the overwhelming amount of scam advertisements. Thankfully, social media can help you become more visible AND help the locksmith consumer feel your company is the right choice. 

At Baldino's we use a few social media strategies to get by ...

• A blog (yes, this one!)
• Search Engine Optimization
• A Facebook page
• A Twitter feed
• Customer Reviews
• Google +
• Youtube Channel

All of these together legitimize our company as real, there, and available to help. We have all of our information including hours, locations, walk in shop address, phone numbers, and parking information. Our webpage is informative, easy to navigate, and links to all of our other social media pages. 

We try to update our content so the online community can see we are still around and want to keep them in the loop. We add new pictures of trade shows we attend, jobs we do, and all of our locations. Seeing new pictures and updated content also helps the search engines to notice your website is still relevant. Also ask yourself...do your customers really know what you do? Most locksmiths don't just provide lockout service! At Baldino's we provide lockout service, key duplication, high security lock options, safe sales, security alarm sales, the list goes on!

Keeping Your Family Safe: The Gun Debate Rages On

After the tragedy of Sandy Hook Elementary and the infamous Aurora, Colorado movie theater shooting the topic of gun control is in full blown debate mode. We don't want to get in the middle but we do feel this is a good time to remind people....if you do keeps guns in your house, there are ways to keep them there safely.

Here are some statistics from the DHSH:

Firearm Ownership

• 40% of American households have guns
• 4% of children in American homes live in homes with at least one firearm

Storage Practices 

• 28% do not always keep guns locked in a secure place
• 25% only “occasionally” lock and store the bullets separate from the
  guns
• 48% do not regularly make sure that guns are equipped with child
  safety and trigger locks
• In 30% of hand gun owning homes, the gun was stored unlocked and
  loaded at the time of the survey 

 Accessibility

• In 72% of unintentional deaths and injuries, suicide and suicide attempts, the
  firearm was stored in the residence of the victim
• 47% of high school kids and 22% of middle school kids said they could get a
  gun
•  6% of high school kids said they had carried a gun to school within the last 30
  days
• 72% of parents think their kids would not handle a gun without their
  permission

 There are many different sizes, types, and brands of gun safes in different price ranges. The best way to find a safe that will work best for your household is to come in and speak with one of our safe specialists and see the safe in person.

Click HERE to see a Safe Selection Guideline you can look at to help in your decision.

We Got Our Trade Show On This Month

Baldino's Lock and Key got their trade show on this month by attending the Capitol Building and Facility maintenance show in Chantilly, Virginia. This year the show fell on November 14th & 15th and was held at the Dulles Expo Center. 

Baldino's managers, Jeff Waldo, Alan Dissin, and Ed Korenge set up a great booth and shared their knowledge of locks and security with other vendors and attendees.

Products Featured 

• Medeco's eCylinder Web Hosting Solutions for the Nexgen XT.

An eCylinder is a combination of an electronic and mechanical cylinder. The advantage of having an eCylinder over a mechanical cylinder is that you can tell who is coming and going, program access, and make sure no unauthorized keys are made. The eCylinder also fits on standard hardware.

If you want to learn more about Medeco's eCylinder you can read about it here:

http://www.medeco.com/Other/Medeco/Downloads/Camlocks/NexgenXT/Nexgen_XT_Camlocks_thandle.pdf

• Arrow Revolution

The Arrow Revolution is a touch screen deadbolt that can hold up to 25 different codes. The benefit of this is you can have a different code for your family, maid service, pet walkers, and babysitters. You can add or delete these users whenever you need.

If you want to learn more about the Arrow Revolution check it out here:

http://www.arrowrevolution.com/?page_id=7

Slow & Steady Wins the Race.

Congrats to our CEO Mark Baldino

It hasn't been easy, in fact it's been a tumultuous ride for locksmiths across the country. However our efforts are working. Yeah, what else do you think we are talking about....the spam locksmith addresses who are scamming you.

Leading the pack, along with ALOA to get these false locksmith address listings off search engines, phone books, online mailing lists and directories is our very own Mark Baldino. He was recently recognized with an award from the Philadelphia Locksmith Association for his efforts. Mark has rocked Google by getting them to take off almost all of their spam listings. 

Don't believe us? Click here to see search results when you Google "locksmith, Springfield VA" - you bet there were hundreds of other listings published there just months ago. 

When Albert Baldino opened Baldino's Lock and Key  in 1961 he would have never guessed there would be such an issue - let alone the fact "locksmiths" would go into people's homes and betray their trust by gouging prices. He started, and his sons, Mark and Gary Baldino built a trust worthy security company. Everyone in the locksmith occupation as well as customers through out the country have voiced their opinion on these spam listings and scammer locksmiths. 

What's next for Baldino's Lock and Key?

Baldino's spam patrol continues to have a close eye on search engines and online directories. We will continue to promote hiring trained and certified locksmiths, and making consumers aware of how to find them. We are tirelessly working on building websites, directories and phone apps so consumers can be 100% sure they are getting what they search for.


Websites & Stories 

http://www.baldinos.com/

https://www.facebook.com/baldinoslockandkey

http://www.aloa.org/index.php

http://www.bbb.org/blog/2011/08/locksmith-scam-180-for-five-minutes/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19714358/ns/business-consumer_news/t/locked-out-dont-fall-locksmith-scam/#.UImq0Mri58E

http://www.angieslist.com/articles/7-tips-avoid-locksmith-scams.htm